“Eight days after Mehdi Hasan interview, I underwent throat surgery” — Bwala

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, says he had throat surgery shortly after his televised interview with Al Jazeera’s Mehdi Hasan.

Speaking on News Central’s programme 60 Minutes with Mr Kay, Daniel Bwala said the procedure happened about eight days after the interview, which later circulated widely online and drew strong reactions.

The interview on Al Jazeera had gone viral, with critics focusing on his past political statements and exchanges during the discussion.

“I don’t know whether it is the ‘Obidient’ people that threw that African thing, but in any case, I’m back and strong,” he said.

Bwala also accused online critics linked to the “Obidient” political support base of coordinated attacks. He described them as prioritising political loyalty over national interest.

He added that his interaction with journalist Mehdi Hasan was combative, saying the interview repeatedly returned to his earlier comments about President Bola Tinubu, which he made before joining the administration.

The interview had triggered renewed attention to his past remarks made during his time in the Peoples Democratic Party before his move to the All Progressives Congress.

During the broadcast, Hasan also questioned him on Nigeria’s security situation, citing figures attributed to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Bwala said he did not have data available to counter the figures presented.

The appearance remains widely discussed on social media following repeated reposts of key clips.